Tribute paid after death of Earl of Erne

Tribute has been paid to an “honourable citizen” of Northern Ireland who had been based at one of its best-known stately homes.

Tom Elliott, UUP MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, said he was“deeply saddened” after reports emerged on Wednesday of the death of the Earl of Erne, Henry Crichton.

The earl, believed to have been 78, had been based at the Crom Estate in Co Fermanagh.

Mr Elliott said that, as far as he was aware, Lord Erne had lived at the estate – where the National Trust runs camping and boating activities – all his life.

He said a local man had moved to turn the west wing of the estate’s Crom Castle (where the BBC recently filmed an adaptation of PG Wodehouse’s period comedy ‘Blandings’) into a venue for wedding and events in partnership with the earl, whom he described as “very personable and always very keen to be involved with the community”.

“It was a pleasure to know the Earl of Erne, who was a generous individual with his time and community support,” said Mr Elliott.

“As Lord Lieutenant of Fermanagh from 1986 to 2012, he gave of his time to attend and support many events throughout the county and further afield. My thoughts are with his wife and family at this time – Fermanagh has lost an honourable citizen and true friend.”